Counseling, Mental Health Counseling - Dual License, MEd

Admissions Requirements

Mental Health Counseling, Dual License:

• Online application and $50 application fee
• Resume
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.8 (3.5 if candidate has a master's degree)
• Passing score of the Communication and Literacy Test of the Massachusetts Teacher Educator Licensure (MTEL) test.
• GRE General Test scores (Combined Verbal & Quantitative)
  • If undergraduate GPA is 3.00 or higher, then a combined GRE score of 281-290 is needed.
  • If undergraduate GPA is a 2.80-2.99, then a combined GRE score of 291 or higher is needed.
  • If undergraduate GPA is 2.50-2.79, then a combined GRE score of 292+ is needed.
  • If candidate holds a master’s degree and GPA is a 3.5 or higher, GRE requirement is waived.
  • If candidate holds a master’s degree and GPA is a 3.0-3.49, a combined GRE score of 297 is needed.
• Three letters of recommendation from professionals or educators outside of the BSU Department of Counselor Education
• Personal statement

Applicant Screening Process

Candidates who meet the above criteria will be invited to an admissions interview. The Admissions Day interview is an opportunity for faculty to assess the applicant's potential for employment as a professional counselor.
 

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: February 1
Summer Semester: February 1
Spring Semester: October 1

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Curriculum

Required general counseling courses:

CNGC 500 - Research and Evaluation

CNGC 528 - Counseling Theories and Techniques

CNGC 529 - Multicultural Counseling

CNGC 532 - Psychological Assessment

CNGC 538 - Group I: Theory and Process of Group Interaction and  CNGC 520 - Group Experience (non-credit; graded on a (P) Pass/(N) No Pass basis)

CNGC 539 - Introduction to Career Counseling

CNGC - Marital and Family Therapy

CNGC - Crisis and Family Therapy

CNGC 582 - Preventive Counseling

Required Mental Health Courses:

CNMH 534 - The Professional Counselor: Standards, Ethics and Legal Issues

CNMH 535 - Applied Counseling: Adolescent-Adult

CNMH 536 - Applied Counseling: Pre-Adolescent

CNMH 540 - Substance Use and Addiction Disorder

CNMH 564 - Theories of Psychological Development

CNMH 568 - Psychopathology

Electives
Complete three (3) credits in counseling at the 500-level or above.

Total minimum credits: 66

Additional Information: 

Fieldwork requirements

CNMH 570 - Advanced Applied Counseling: Mental Health Counselor (100 hours, 3 credits)

CNMH 571 - Internship: Mental Health Counselor (total of 450 hours, 9 credits)

CNMH 582 - Internship: Mental Health Counselor - Dual License (total of 450 hours, 9 credits)

Culminating Experience:

The culminating experience focuses on students’ ability to integrate counseling and development theory into direct practice. Through the culminating experience, students will demonstrate the counseling competencies that align with current CACREP standards (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs), as well as standards that align within respective programs of study. Students will be required to take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) and earn the department set minimum score on the eight core content areas. Students who do not meet the minimum threshold for any of the eight content areas will be required to show mastery in those areas through completing a comprehensive assignment (in the same semester that the CPCE was taken) designed for that core area which will be evaluated by three different departments of counselor education faculty members.

Syllabus template available upon request. Please contact the Department of Counselor Education Administrative Assistant for more information.

***For the most up-to-date information regarding course descriptions, please visit our University Catalog.

Funding Opportunities

The College of Graduate Studies provides various opportunities for graduate students to receive funding while working towards their degrees. Appointments are competitive and are determined by undergraduate and/or graduate grade point averages, pertinent experience, educational preparation and interviews.  For information on assistantships, fellowships and conference funding awards, please visit our Graduate Funding Opportunities page.

The MEd program in Mental Health Counseling is eligible for unsubsidized student loans and applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For more specific questions, please visit the Financial Aid Office website or contact them directly at finaid@bridgew.edu.

Mission Statement and Program Objectives:
The principle mission of the Department of Counselor Education at Bridgewater State University is to prepare high quality master’s level counselors for various settings in Massachusetts and the nation. More specifically, we prepare; quality School Counselors to serve students, families, and communities in PreK-12 educational settings; Clinical Mental Health Counselors to serve individuals, families, and/or groups in community, non-profit, or private agencies; and Student Affairs Counselors to serve as academic advisors, career advisors, residential hall advisors, or likewise in institutes of higher education.  

Program Objectives 
Our objectives are to: 

• Guide students in understanding their roles and responsibilities within the ethical and legal guidelines germane to counseling and student affairs professions. 
• Foster the development of expertise in counseling skills. 
• Instill a commitment to uphold best practices within counseling and student affairs professions.  
• Cultivate diversity and social justice competence within counseling and student affairs professions.